The township currently has no laws governing landscaping and the township has had to count on the good will of developers to include some green areas into their projects.

In addition to the 20 percent landscaping proposal, Berger and Epstein said a requirement that 10 percent of the parking area be landscaped is "extremely high."

The developers also questioned the intent of the ordinance.

"I can see landscape for enhancement" said Berger. But, he noted, "I don't want to do a development hidden from public view."

Community Development Director Tracy Ernst and Commissioner Dale Flores assured Berger that they did not want to hide commercial developments.

The board agreed that the ordinance needed further review and Ernst said she will review existing commercial developments that are landscaped in order to provide the board with comparisons.

Fire Chief William Balliet questioned a provision of another ordinance designed to put more green in all areas of the township by widening the street right-of-way and providing for grass planting strips along the roads.

Balliet said trees which extend into the roadway get in the way of his trucks.

"It makes it look beautiful," Balliet said. "But when it comes to firefighting and taking equipment down the street . . . "

The board also reviewed ordinances designed to clarify regulations regarding its commercial and residential zoning districts and accessory uses.

One provision would establish adult bookstores as conditional uses in a community commercial zone which must be approved by the commissioners. Current township ordinances do not address adult bookstores, making it possible for such businesses to open anywhere.

The proposed ordinance requires the book store to be separated from a church, school, public building or residential district by 1,000 feet.

In other business, the board considered relaxing its requirement that township employees move to the township within six months after they are hired.

Responding to the requests of several policemen who said moving into the township posed a financial hardship, several board members said they thought allowing employees to live within five miles of the township was a fair compromise.

"I think the five-mile limit is a fair one. It gives the individual some latitude in finding housing," said Commissioner Gerald Fabian.

The board also considered a request from the Schadt Avenue Playground Association to construct curbs and sidewalks along one or both sides of Schadt Avenue between Pine Entry and Belleview Drive to give children a safe passage to the new playground.

The request was opposed by developer Jack Gross, who said it was unfair to require the few property owners, including himself, to erect the sidewalks when the park was not even fully developed.